CHAPTER 53 #3
The rest of November trickled by within the blink of an eye.
Little by little, life returned to normal.
I regained my strength as the bruises, cuts, and scrapes on my body healed and the memories of that wretched day faded.
Any spare time between work and school, I spent with my loved ones and doing things that brought me joy.
Like bedazzling all the covers of my romance books.
Taking long walks and watching scary movies with Hunter and Luna.
Driving my new car with Hunter as the passenger princess and Luna our co-pilot.
Trying new cat-friendly cafés in the city. Going out to bars and dinner dates.
I felt more like myself with every passing day, like a snake shedding its old skin and thriving in the new one.
With every new outfit and every new layer of makeup, the Gabby from the kidnapping was erased and in its stead was the version I always wanted to remain—the one that loved to don her best for every occasion and go out with her friends.
But not because I was trying to fill a void in my chest with endless parties and drinks.
I was simply embodying my new motto: living life to the fullest.
And I did it all with Hunter by my side.
It was on the second weekend of December, after our semesters came to an end, that we finally went to the masquerade ball. I’d been anticipating this night for so long and it didn’t disappoint.
The inside of the banquet hall dripped with opulence, glittery chandeliers hanging overhead, lit candelabras on numbered tables, the gentle strains of the orchestra playing on the dance floor, an array of expensive suits and beautiful gowns, and ornate Venetian masks covering the faces of the attendees.
Tonight, I was dressed as Nike.
Hunter’s goddess of victory.
My white dress draped around my body in a Grecian-inspired fashion, my dark red hair fell down my back in waves, with a crown sitting on my head, and I wore gold wings to pay tribute to my namesake.
Safe to say, Hunter fell in love with me all over again when he arrived to pick me up, a dozen red roses in his hand and awe plastered all over his face.
I preened, giving him a twirl. “You like?”
He climbed the steps up to me as if the distance between us was too much to bear. “I love, Gabriela. You look exceptional.” A kiss was pressed to my hand. “The most beautiful woman in the world.”
As always, I ate up his praise like the finest of delicacies.
“You don’t look too shabby yourself, bello.” I danced my index finger down his tie. He wore a white one to match my dress. “The most handsome in the world.”
In his tailored black suit, polished black shoes, and long black hair left open and tousled in an artful manner, he was all my book boyfriends wrapped into one. And tonight, he resembled a fallen angel prince, roaming the Earth with the sole intention of causing mayhem.
At my compliment, he smiled in that heart-melting manner of his.
When I placed a gold wreath crown on his head, Hunter’s smile morphed into a wide grin that showcased all his straight, pearly white teeth. “To what do I owe this honour?”
Nike was known for carrying a wreath crown, her task to place it upon the heads of the winners of battles and athletic contests.
Hunter understood the symbolism.
“Whether it’s a national championship or coming to my defense, you’re always triumphant, Hunter.
I could think of no individual more deserving of this crown.
” I slinked into his arms and peered up at him.
“I also thought we’d match this way. Me, your goddess of victory, and you, my glorious victor. ”
He kissed me until I was weak in the knees before whisking me off to the ball.
Upon arrival, we did our rounds and exchanged greetings with all our friends.
We drank, we ate, and we danced the night away.
Hunter ushered me off the dance floor, where Layla and Josh were still present.
They were waltzing—or doing whatever was Josh’s version of a waltz.
He twirled and dipped her back, snatched a quick kiss and caused the nearby old ladies to swoon at his antics. Then he asked Layla to twirl him.
She laughed and did exactly that.
“It’s all so arresting,” I said to Hunter, holding my gold mask up to my face with the handheld stick as I surveyed the party.
The top half of Hunter’s face was covered in a gold filigree mask that matched mine, except his was tied at the back of his head with a black ribbon.
The bottom half of his face was exposed, showing off his manicured stubble and full lips.
He grabbed two glasses of champagne from a waiter’s tray.
“I’m glad you’re having a good time.” He passed me one. “Step outside with me for a moment?”
“Yes.”
On our way to the banquet hall’s terrace, we walked by a quiet alcove where Anna stood in a shimmering gown and…Sam in front of her, half shadowed in darkness.
They talked about something in hushed voices, but Hunter and I didn’t pause to acknowledge them, sensing that they wanted to be left alone.
The empty terrace opened up to a breathtaking view of a cliff to our left and crashing waves. Far in the distance, there was a lighthouse, gleaming under the fierce moonlight.
Hunter led us to the balustrade, where we deposited our glasses and masks.
A strong gust of wind blew past us. I shivered, shifting in my heels.
Hunter shrugged off his suit jacket, placed it around my shoulders, and wrapped his arms around me from behind. Warmth suffused my body and I pressed my cheek to my pretty boy’s stubbled one, closing my eyes as I relished this soft moment and the wondrous sight before us.
It was akin to the Hero and Leander painting hanging on my home office’s wall.
“It’s so peaceful here. So beautiful.” I shivered when another cold breeze swept against us. “And freezing.”
Hunter laughed, his chest vibrating against my back with the sound. “I’m looking forward to winter. It’ll be nice to finally relax and lie dormant after these hectic months.”
My mind spun the imagery of a fireplace, hot chocolates, holiday movies, and cozied up with Hunter next to a Christmas tree. “I agree.”
“We can do a weekend getaway at a chalet, if you’d like,” he whispered against my temple and skirted his lips down to my cheek. The skin was healed, no longer bruised. He kissed it. “Invite our friends too.”
“I would absolutely love that.”
“I’ll teach you how to snowboard.”
“I can’t wait.”
We watched the scenery and sipped our champagne.
“What’s on your mind?” Hunter rasped in my ear after a silent moment.
I angled my head to gaze into his eyes. They were almost sterling under the moonlit night. “That I want to marry you someday.”
I remembered his dream from the night at Club Azul.
Except he wouldn’t have to wait fifteen years to see it to fruition.
I would marry him tomorrow, if given the chance.
I would give him the home he so starkly craved.
And I wouldn’t make him wait long for kids either, just after we graduated and started our careers.
“Do you want that, Hunt?”
“Yes,” he replied quickly and I smiled at the speed of his answer, which caused him to blush a little. He was a perfect mix of cocky and vulnerable. I would never get over this man. “I want that too, Gabriela. So damn bad.”
“I guess this means I have to catch the bouquet at my parents’ wedding, huh?”
“Guess so.” He cleared his throat. “Speaking of weddings…According to you, how early is too early to propose?”
I gave him a sly wink. “My, my, so eager to put a ring on my finger, hm?”
“If I had it my way, doll, you’d have been legally mine a long time ago.”
That pleased the territorial monster inside of me. “Ditto.”
My answer pleased him too, if the darkening of his eyes was anything to go by.
“Hypothetically speaking, where would we live?” I asked. “After we got married?”
I loved our apartments, but I always saw myself settling down in a nice house with a big courtyard and backyard for my kids to run around and play in.
Hunter tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear. “I suppose I always saw myself moving back to the East Side, where I grew up and have all my fondest childhood memories. There are lots of beautiful homes there. Good place to raise a family.”
I looked forward to growing old with Hunter. We were in for a lifetime of fun, happiness, and memories we would cherish until the end.
I felt that in my soul.
“And hypothetically speaking, how many kids would you want?” I prodded.
“It’s your body, Gabriela. As many or as little as you’d want to give me.”
My heart pounded with excitement. “Good answer, amore mio. So marriage, a home, and kids? Sounds like a good plan.” I kissed his lips. “You’ll finally have the happy ever after you wanted.”
“My treasured obsession.” Hunter thumbed my cheek softly, smiling. “You are my happy ever after.”